1 immobile | Definition of immobile

immobile

adjective
im·​mo·​bile | \ (ˌ)i(m)-ˈmō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio) , -ˌbī(-ə)l also -ˌbēl\

Definition of immobile

1 : incapable of being moved : fixed
2 : not moving : motionless keep the patient immobile

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Other Words from immobile

immobility \ ˌi-​(ˌ)mō-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce immobility (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for immobile

Synonyms

nonmoving, standing, static, stationary

Antonyms

mobile, movable (or moveable), moving, nonstationary

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Examples of immobile in a Sentence

The tranquilizer made the animal immobile. The accident left her immobile.

Recent Examples on the Web

But for now, many neurologists believe that the field is on the verge of gaining useful insight into the mute, immobile but very human patients in their care. New York Times, "‘It’s Gigantic’: A New Way to Gauge the Chances for Unresponsive Patients," 26 June 2019 At the same time, immobile organisms can die in the low-oxygen conditions. Jenny Howard, National Geographic, "Dead zones, explained," 31 July 2019 Marco Silva's appointment as Everton manager in 2018 was quickly followed up by the club with attempts to liven up the snoozy, immobile side their new manager had inherited from predecessor Sam Allardyce. SI.com, "André Gomes: Why Everton's Midfield Maestro Is the Signing of the Summer," 27 July 2019 Instead, at least 35 employees — workers’ advocates say nearly double that number — committed suicide, feeling trapped, betrayed and despairing of ever finding new work in France’s immobile labor market. Adam Nossiter, New York Times, "35 Employees Committed Suicide. Will Their Bosses Go to Jail?," 9 July 2019 On the side of a Normandy road Thursday, a group of men in uniform had popped the hood of an immobile D-Day-era truck and were rooting around inside its engine. Washington Post, "Reenactors all have their reason to mark D-Day," 7 June 2019 In Kartagener syndrome, for example, immobile cilia in the windpipe cause breathing difficulties. Tim Vernimmen, Quanta Magazine, "How Life Turns Asymmetric," 31 Jan. 2017 Robyn remained nearly immobile for the first song, letting her presence and robust vocals command the stage. Joe Lynch, Billboard, "Robyn Brings Pure, Unfettered Joy to NYC on Honey Tour," 20 July 2019 But those conditions haven’t existed for years in France, where the labor market is stagnant and immobile by American standards, and workers have little culture of moving cross-country for a new job. Adam Nossiter, New York Times, "35 Employees Committed Suicide. Will Their Bosses Go to Jail?," 9 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immobile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of immobile

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for immobile

Middle English in-mobill, from Latin immobilis, from in- + mobilis mobile

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More Definitions for immobile

immobile

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of immobile

: unable to move
: not moving

immobile

adjective
im·​mo·​bile | \ i-ˈmō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio) \

Kids Definition of immobile

: unable to move or be moved The snake's venom left its prey immobile.

immobile

adjective
im·​mo·​bile | \ (ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio) , -ˌbēl How to pronounce immobile (audio) , -ˌbīl How to pronounce immobile (audio) \

Medical Definition of immobile

1 : incapable of being moved
2 : not moving keep the patient immobile

Other Words from immobile

immobility \ ˌim-​(ˌ)ō-​ˈbil-​ət-​ē How to pronounce immobility (audio) \ noun, plural immobilities

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More from Merriam-Webster on immobile

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for immobile

Spanish Central: Translation of immobile

Nglish: Translation of immobile for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of immobile for Arabic Speakers